WENATCHEE—The Forest Service is seeking applicants for vacancies on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Provincial Advisory Committees. Applications can be obtained from the national forest’s headquarters in Wenatchee, the Okanogan Valley Office, or online at http://go.usa.gov/faR (scroll down to the Interested paragraph). They should be submitted by September 1, 2012.
Informational meetings describing the committees and their activities will be held on July 30 and July 31 in Wenatchee and Naches.
The meeting in Wenatchee on July 30 will be held from 2-3 p.m. in the conference room of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest headquarters office, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee. The meeting in Naches on July 31 will be held from 2-3 p.m. in the Naches Ranger District conference room, 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches. Forest Service representatives will explain the application and selection process and answer questions at each meeting.
“For the past 17 years, advice from provincial advisory committees has helped the Forest Service and other federal land managers implement the Northwest Forest Plan on federal lands in ecological provinces within the range of the northern spotted owl,” said Forest Supervisor Becki Heath. Two of these committees provide advice on federal lands in North Central Washington. The Eastern Washington Cascades Province encompasses federal lands within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County and west of the Chewuch and Methow Rivers in Okanogan County. The Yakima Province encompasses federal lands within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Kittitas and Yakima Counties.
Advisory committee membership represents federal and state agencies, counties, tribes, and public interests including recreation and tourism, environmental groups, the forest products industry, fisheries, wildlife, forestry conservation, special forest products, mining, grazing, commercial fishing, and general citizen interests.
The Forest Service seeks gender, ethnic and cultural diversity on the Eastern Washington Cascades and Yakima Provincial Advisory Committees, including citizens with disabilities. Advisory committee membership diversity will assist the agency to foster effective program and mission delivery to all Americans.
Applicants for advisory committee positions must be United States citizens at least 18 years old. Criteria for selection will include considerations such as an applicant’s knowledge of local and regional resource issues as well as public land uses and activities; the ability to communicate well; willingness to work toward mutually-beneficial solutions to complex issues; and respect and credibility in local communities.
Applicants must also be willing to make a commitment to attend advisory committee meetings—generally one-day sessions, held in Wenatchee, every two to three months. Field trips and alternate meeting locations may also be scheduled.

Advisory committee members serve without pay, but reimbursement is provided for mileage expenses. A routine Advisory Committee Membership Background Information Form (AD-755), included in the application package, must also be completed by all persons before they assume membership on a Department of Agriculture advisory committee.
Those interested in serving on a Provincial Advisory Committee should submit an application to Becki Heath, Designated Federal Official, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801, by September 1, 2012. Faxed submissions may be sent to her attention at 509-664-9286. Letters of endorsement from groups or organizations may also be included with applications. Questions about the process may be directed to Roland Giller at 509-664-9314 or Robin DeMario at 509-664-9292.
Selections for advisory committee positions will be notified of the final selections by mail. All advisory committee meetings are open to the public.